Baicalin Prevents Colon Cancer by Suppressing CDKN2A Protein Expression

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology and Molecular Biology
• Oncology Research
• Natural Product Therapeutics

Background:

• Colon cancer remains a significant global health challenge, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies.
• Baicalin, a flavonoid derived from Scutellaria baicalensis, has demonstrated potential anti-cancer properties.
• Understanding the precise molecular mechanisms of baicalin in colon cancer is crucial for its clinical application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the therapeutic effects of baicalin on colon cancer.
• To identify and validate the molecular targets and pathways affected by baicalin in colon cancer.

Main Methods:

• In vitro studies assessed baicalin's impact on colon cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis.
• Network pharmacology, molecular docking, and Drug Affinity Responsive Target Stability (DARTS) were employed to predict and confirm molecular targets.
• In vitro and in vivo experiments validated the predicted mechanisms in colon cancer models.

Main Results:

• Baicalin significantly inhibited colon cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and migration while inducing apoptosis and S-phase cell cycle arrest.
• Network pharmacology identified 6 key therapeutic targets, with molecular docking and DARTS confirming baicalin's interaction with CDKN2A, AKT, caspase 3, and MAPK.
• In vivo studies demonstrated that baicalin reduced tumor size and weight by modulating key signaling pathways, including inactivating AKT and activating caspase 3.

Conclusions:

• Baicalin exhibits significant therapeutic effects against colon cancer by suppressing proliferation and inducing apoptosis.
• The study identified CDKN2A as a critical target protein suppressed by baicalin, contributing to its anti-cancer activity.
• Baicalin presents a promising candidate for colon cancer therapy, with CDKN2A serving as a potential therapeutic target.